Back hurting from bed in travel trailer - need advice please

[OregonMan]

Hey guys, I've been living in my 2018 Wolf Pup travel trailer full-time for over a year now. An issue I've always had is that sleeping in the bed hurts my back. I've tried a lot of different things. About 4 months ago I bought a new mattress, the mattress I got from Amazon was: Zinus Ultima Comfort Memory Foam 8 Inch Mattress, Short Queen.

I've read reviews from other RVers about short queen mattresses breaking in too quickly. So I ordered a 2.5" memory foam topper.. but that didn't solve the back pain problem either. Got another mattress topper to put underneath the 2.5" topper from walmart... that didn't help either. Put a sleeping pad underneath the toppers... that didn't help either.

I'm getting really tired of having back pain from sleeping in my trailer bed, and over the past few weeks it has gotten noticeably worse. I'm a 230lb male.

Do you guys have any tips on how to stop the back pain when sleeping in your trailer? Is there a particular mattress or mattress topper that has worked really well for you? Any tips would be greatly appreciated... I'm almost ready to spend a week in a hotel just to get a relief from the back pain. Thank god I have a foam roller that I use in the mornings, but it doesn't cure the pain, just helps a little...

[Terryallan]

OregonMan wrote:
Hey guys, I've been living in my 2018 Wolf Pup travel trailer full-time for over a year now. An issue I've always had is that sleeping in the bed hurts my back. I've tried a lot of different things. About 4 months ago I bought a new mattress, the mattress I got from Amazon was: Zinus Ultima Comfort Memory Foam 8 Inch Mattress, Short Queen.

I've read reviews from other RVers about short queen mattresses breaking in too quickly. So I ordered a 2.5" memory foam topper.. but that didn't solve the back pain problem either. Got another mattress topper to put underneath the 2.5" topper from walmart... that didn't help either. Put a sleeping pad underneath the toppers... that didn't help either.

I'm getting really tired of having back pain from sleeping in my trailer bed, and over the past few weeks it has gotten noticeably worse. I'm a 230lb male.

Do you guys have any tips on how to stop the back pain when sleeping in your trailer? Is there a particular mattress or mattress topper that has worked really well for you? Any tips would be greatly appreciated... I'm almost ready to spend a week in a hotel just to get a relief from the back pain. Thank god I have a foam roller that I use in the mornings, but it doesn't cure the pain, just helps a little...

Put your mattress pads, or topper UNDER the mattress. It is just laying on a board. It will be stiff. Putting the foam UNDER will soften it up some. We did, and it works great.

[harley4275]

I put a 3" topper on mine , but you can save money and bring your house bed with you , just a bit of a hastle.

[sayoung]

ependydad wrote:
We opted to spend the money for a Sleep Number bed and our backs couldn't be happier about it.

IMO, spend the money on a good bed.

Yep, we use Sleep Number in both rv & home.

[ford_truck_guy]

ependydad wrote:

OregonMan wrote:
I'd like to avoid spending $450 on a new mattress if I can...

(shrug) Getting rid of back pain is worth way more than $450 to me.

X2

[2oldman]

If you don't already, perhaps back exercises would help. Maybe it's not just your mattress.

[aysstephanie]

Here's a good blog on the topic: https://rvpartshop.com/module/csblog/post/41-1-how-to-find-the-perfect-rv-mattress.html

[STANG23L]

I picked up a Dynasty Mattress 10GEL from amazon. Was a little leery seeing the price point is pretty low. But have been extremely happy with it. Prefer it over mattress in my house!

[hotjag1]

ependydad wrote:
We opted to spend the money for a Sleep Number bed and our backs couldn't be happier about it.

IMO, spend the money on a good bed.

I agree with getting a Sleep Number bed. Adjust it to whatever firmness or softness feels the most comfortable.

[DutchmenSport]

OregonMan wrote:
... any recommendations ...

We have Serta's firm (extra firm was too hard) in the house and the camper. They came with a sheep.

[ependydad]

OregonMan wrote:
I'd like to avoid spending $450 on a new mattress if I can...

(shrug) Getting rid of back pain is worth way more than $450 to me.

[OregonMan]

DutchmenSport wrote:
Maybe the mattress is TOO soft! Ever consider that. A TOO soft mattress on the back can cause back pain much more than too firm. When we moved from soft mattresses to firmer mattresses (in the house and the campers), I quit having back problems. (years ago).

If you sleep comfortable in your house, then get the same mattress for your camper also.

Yup I think that's the issue. My mattress in my apartment was 12" thick and firm... that's what I am now seeking for my trailer. A 12" short queen firm memory foam mattress would save the day I think. If you have any recommendations that would be awesome. I'd like to avoid spending $450 on a new mattress if I can...

[dodge_guy]

I just used egg crate foam material from a fabric store. Turned my old mattress from what yours is to very comfortable.

[DutchmenSport]

Maybe the mattress is TOO soft! Ever consider that. A TOO soft mattress on the back can cause back pain much more than too firm. When we moved from soft mattresses to firmer mattresses (in the house and the campers), I quit having back problems. (years ago).

If you sleep comfortable in your house, then get the same mattress for your camper also.

[OregonMan]

Boomerweps wrote:
Which Wolf Pup? I have the 16BHS.
That mattress you got worked great for me with a 2-3" topper. I'm about 205# 6'1".
On my Pup, I have an east west bed and removed the headboard shelf and threw a body pillow in the open storage space. I think a standard house size Queen mattress would now fit in my TT.
You could get a thicker standard queen foam mattress locally, remove any cloth cover, and cut it to fit short with a serrated knife. An electric carving knife is highly recommended.

Yup that's what I've got... the 16BHS.

When you say the mattress "worked" great, does that mean you no longer use it?

Actually thought about the idea of carving down a bigger mattress but it seems risky, like if I mess up then I'm out of luck... and not sure I want to cut into a mattress in general.

What I feel like I really need is a 12" extra firm memory foam mattress and that would really do the trick for me. My memory foam mattress in my apartment was 12" and nice and firm and I loved it.

[Boomerweps]

Which Wolf Pup? I have the 16BHS.
That mattress you got worked great for me with a 2-3" topper. I'm about 205# 6'1".
On my Pup, I have an east west bed and removed the headboard shelf and threw a body pillow in the open storage space. I think a standard house size Queen mattress would now fit in my TT.
You could get a thicker standard queen foam mattress locally, remove any cloth cover, and cut it to fit short with a serrated knife. An electric carving knife is highly recommended.